I couldn't agree more regarding the need for strong leaders that will stand behind their officers on the street. I've seen a decline in this type of leader for over the past ten years. The problem is twofold. First, many current police leaders won't jeopardize their status as a command officer to defend their people. That is shameful! These types of "leaders" value their titles over their people and "doing the right thing". Second, elected officials are appointing weak individuals as Chiefs of Police so they can control them like puppets and/or they are appointing people based on DEI criteria just to show they are "progressive thinking". When you combine the two scenarios you end up with many, many weak police leaders.
Regarding qualified immunity, if it is eliminated or altered in ANY significant manner at any level of government you won't have anyone applying to be the police and the current officers won't just be docile, they will quit. For all the reasons you cited. I've told my own son that if they ever eliminated qualified immunity for the police he would have to quit the job he loves because all the anti-police people in our society would be lining up to take everything a police officer and his family has to their name. It would not be worth the risk to get sued over the most mundane, innocuous incident, just to have to hire an attorney to defend himself/herself. It would be an endless cycle of litigation and loss of income.
Those our my opinions. Thank you for standing up for police officers everywhere!
You bring up salient points, Dale. No job or title is worth selling your soul for, and any chief who puts prestige before doing what's right should indeed be deeply ashamed. In my mind, these types are not real police; they're politicians.
I can't see much changing until there's a shift in police leadership; and that won't happen if the public continues to elect the same people who contribute to this dynamic.
I think your assertion about police officers quitting if QI is eliminated is spot on. I'd like to study how PDs in states with reduced QI are faring. Can't imagine very well. You're right to advise your son as you did.
Thank you for your comments Paula. I agree - many "politicians" are being appointed as police command personnel and until the public starts electing true leaders things will not change. Hopefully society doesn't deteriorate so bad that we can't recover.
Great article! Thank you! I know you and I have spoken about this through commenting boards before, but in my role as a first line supervisor, I have the most direct impact on line level police officers in my entire police department. I choose to hold a line of integrity, high ethical standards as written about by former Chief Ross Swope in his book “Ethics Based Policing“ which I highly recommend everyone read, and a heart of servant leadership that far transcends the negativity I’m seeing today.
Do you wanna talk about leadership? I invite command staff to ride with me for one week. They will see their line level, police officers, display, more courage, bravery, and leadership that has been written about this entire year.
Paula:
I couldn't agree more regarding the need for strong leaders that will stand behind their officers on the street. I've seen a decline in this type of leader for over the past ten years. The problem is twofold. First, many current police leaders won't jeopardize their status as a command officer to defend their people. That is shameful! These types of "leaders" value their titles over their people and "doing the right thing". Second, elected officials are appointing weak individuals as Chiefs of Police so they can control them like puppets and/or they are appointing people based on DEI criteria just to show they are "progressive thinking". When you combine the two scenarios you end up with many, many weak police leaders.
Regarding qualified immunity, if it is eliminated or altered in ANY significant manner at any level of government you won't have anyone applying to be the police and the current officers won't just be docile, they will quit. For all the reasons you cited. I've told my own son that if they ever eliminated qualified immunity for the police he would have to quit the job he loves because all the anti-police people in our society would be lining up to take everything a police officer and his family has to their name. It would not be worth the risk to get sued over the most mundane, innocuous incident, just to have to hire an attorney to defend himself/herself. It would be an endless cycle of litigation and loss of income.
Those our my opinions. Thank you for standing up for police officers everywhere!
Sincerely,
Dale Gustafson
Chief of Police (Retired)
You bring up salient points, Dale. No job or title is worth selling your soul for, and any chief who puts prestige before doing what's right should indeed be deeply ashamed. In my mind, these types are not real police; they're politicians.
I can't see much changing until there's a shift in police leadership; and that won't happen if the public continues to elect the same people who contribute to this dynamic.
I think your assertion about police officers quitting if QI is eliminated is spot on. I'd like to study how PDs in states with reduced QI are faring. Can't imagine very well. You're right to advise your son as you did.
Thank you for your service!
Thank you for your comments Paula. I agree - many "politicians" are being appointed as police command personnel and until the public starts electing true leaders things will not change. Hopefully society doesn't deteriorate so bad that we can't recover.
Stay safe!
That's the thing. I feel like we're racing against a clock.
Stay safe, as well. : )
Great article! Thank you! I know you and I have spoken about this through commenting boards before, but in my role as a first line supervisor, I have the most direct impact on line level police officers in my entire police department. I choose to hold a line of integrity, high ethical standards as written about by former Chief Ross Swope in his book “Ethics Based Policing“ which I highly recommend everyone read, and a heart of servant leadership that far transcends the negativity I’m seeing today.
Do you wanna talk about leadership? I invite command staff to ride with me for one week. They will see their line level, police officers, display, more courage, bravery, and leadership that has been written about this entire year.
Keep it up, Paula!
Well said, Jeff! And thank YOU for being the type of leader we so desperately need more of!
I've added the Chief's book to my reading list.
Best. : )
Fantastic! Tell him I sent you :)